When The Dead played sloppy and uninspired performances in ’95, “Visions” always seemed to rise like a phoenix from the ashes.

Exhibit A is the band’s second-to-last show (ever): The overall performance at Chicago’s Soldier Field was shoddy, but the version of “Visions Of Johanna” gets a solid B+ (listen here). The Dead only performed it eight times total – and six of those came in 1995.

Jerry’s soulful, haunting vocals are absolutely mesmerizing. Lines like, “It’s so hard to get on” fit perfectly with his weathered delivery. You could hear a pin drop in the arena.

It’s always struck me as odd that Jerry could remember all the lyrics to “Visions Of Johanna” – all five, highly complex verses – yet stumble over relatively simple lyrics in songs like “Ramble On Rose.”

There was definitely something special about “Visions” that shook Jerry up inside.

In chronological order, here are the three finest performances I could find (out of the eight versions on record). While the version from 1986 is a stellar overall performance – including Jerry’s guitar work – the two from ’95 are all about Garcia’s riveting vocals. You can hear his soul, and it’s haunting to the very core.

The COMPLETE PACKAGE! Pound-for-pound, this is the band’s best performance of the song (in my opinion). Jerry smokes the vocals, and even serves up a pretty good Dylan impersonation (0:25). In addition, the big man delivers a well-developed guitar solo (6:18) that soars – something that’s missing from some of the ’95 versions.

VISIONS OF JOHANNAMarch 18, 1995
The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA

BEST VOCALS EVER!! Jerry’s vocals are absolutely chilling, and I mean goose-bump material. Although there isn’t much to his guitar solo, the soulful, haunting vocals make it a five-star performance (just months before Jerry’s tragic death). Ain’t it just like the night…

Peter Wendel is a journalist and PR consultant. He's attended hundreds of concerts and festivals, including the Peach, Mountain Jam, the All Good and Lockn'. He's ridden legendary Grateful Dead runs from Ventura County Fairgrounds to Irvine Meadows (CA) from the Nassau Coliseum (NY) to the Boston Garden (MA). Peter is a former U.S. Marine who – after running into trouble with every last one of his commanding officers – received an honorable discharge and a direct order never to return. Born in California and raised in New Jersey, Peter lived in Boston and Joshua Tree (CA) before settling in the nation's capital. Find him on tour at PWendel@SongMango.com.